Thread: 6.5x55 barrel lenght ?

The 6.5 has a very high SD. Using softish bullets at lowish velocities they penetrate like hell and expand well. That trauma makes up for a lot of horse power in my experience, and in any event they don't shed so much energy in flight because of their high BC.

Not withstanding my experience with the 6.5 I shoot a lot of deer with my 7-08, 18" barrel and 120 grn BT. That's at 3000fps. Ive pushed it to 400 yards but don't recommend it. The 6.5 at 2800fps with its higher BC and SD 120 grn I bet will perform the same. I would tote a 18-20" 6.5x55 any day.

In fact my 6.5x55 has a 21.5" barrel and clocks 2830fps with a 140 grn. So 2700 & a 140 out of a 20" wouldn't be out of the ball park. That's deer medicine.

I'm talking modern actions here, not the old mod 96 Mauser.